Stop an anti-gay filibuster in the Senate

Sign the petition

Tell Senate Republicans:

“Discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people at work is not just wrong, it’s un-American. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (“ENDA”, S. 815) will come up for a vote soon, and now is the time to support equal rights at work and come out in support of the bill or at least refuse to filibuster it.”

We’re just one vote short of breaking an anti-gay filibuster next week on a bill that would help put an end to the extraordinarily high rate of discrimination and job loss that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people suffer in the workplace.1

In 20 states, people can still be fired on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In 20 states! That’s because no federal law protects workers from being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and state laws are a confusing patchwork that are difficult to enforce with state agencies.

Now every Democratic Party senator, and even some Republicans, have co-sponsored the bill and said they’ll vote for it when it comes up for a vote. It’s time for more moderate Republicans like Senators Rob Portman, John McCain, and Pat Toomey to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and make sure it gets an up-or-down vote in the Senate.

Tell Senate Republicans: Stop blocking a vote on ending discrimination at work based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Some of the most conservative Democratic senators already have signed on, like Senators Mary Landrieu and Heidi Heitkamp. Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor and Florida Senator Bill Nelson even said this week they’ll vote for the bill. And Republican Senator Orrin Hatch helped move the bill out of committee, while Senators Mark Kirk and Susan Collins -- both Republicans -- were original sponsors of the bill.

Even public opinion is strongly behind protection for equal rights in employment, with nearly 75% of Americans polled responding in favor of such protections.2

Moderate Republicans have all the political cover they’re ever going to get to stand against discrimination in the workplace and, at the very least, break an attempt to filibuster the bill and ensure it gets a fair vote. Now is the time to pass ENDA and ensure that all Americans have the same opportunities, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Tell Senate Republicans: Stop blocking a vote on ending discrimination at work based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

We know that it’s not likely this bill will make it through the Tea Party-controlled House. But passing it in the Senate with strong support and then getting members of Congress in the House on the record about their stance will help activists understand who our allies really are, and who needs more pressure.